Better Than New – Details, episodes & analysis

How My Dumb Mistakes And Failures Can Save You Money, Time And Headaches On Your Next Automotive DIY Project

00:00 - OPEN

In my experience, the best way to learn what to do (and what not to do) on any DIY project is to get advice from those who have actually done it before, and today you’re going to hear about a major DIY project I did on my 2008 Audi that dragged on for more than 5-months because I wasn't properly prepared and backed into it.

01:25 - INTRO

Not everyone feels comfortable working on their own car, but if you’re motivated to try, you could start with something simple, like an oil change or a coolant swap. If that's too simple, you could take on something more in-depth, like replacing your radiator along with the coolant or replacing brake pads and rotors. Those two DIY jobs are more difficult, but anyone with some mechanical aptitude, a suitable set of tools, and the right safety devices can manage those projects. My latest DIY Project was different though - not in terms of difficulty, but in terns of scope. It was a project that was going to require a lot more time and a lot more effort than I had planned on.

02:45 - My 2008 Audi S4 Avant DIY Project

After noticing some oil drops under my 2008 Audi S4 wagon, I decided it was time to do an engine reseal, replacing various gaskets and hoses that were leaking. The problem is, with a V8 crammed into the space originally meant for a 4-cylinder engine, there isn't much room to do the required work. The result? It was going to take much longer to replace various gaskets, hoses and other parts on the car than I originally estimated.

09:27 - Problems With My Approach

Because I didn't realize the full scope of my project, I didn't do all the necessary research up front. I wasn't honest with myself about how long the project would take to complete. didn't have a solid back up plan for transportation and I 'bit off more than I could chew' in the time I estimated it would take to complete.

11:15 - Seven Key Tips That Will Help Minimize Issues On Your Next DIY Project

•  Know the scope of your project - Don’t back into a major project
• Research how others have done the same project before starting
•  Buy ALL necessary parts BEFORE starting the project
• Buy/borrow all necessary tools BEFORE starting the project
• Know how much time it will take to complete your project
•  Have a Back-up Transportation Plan
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew

31:35 - How Do You Insure DIY Project Success While Working? - Stay Organized!

• Keep removed parts and pieces organized
• Tag/photograph/ID part locations as you remove them
• Keep your work space clean while you work and at the end of each work day
• Keep your tools organized while you work and at the end of each work day

35:15 - Don't Forget About Safety

• Buy/borrow a quality low-profile hydraulic jack to lift your vehicle
• Used heavy-duty jack stands to support your vehicle
• If possible, invest in or borrow something like a QuickJack to safely lift your vehicle
• Have someone check on you periodically
• Keep your phone within reach in case of emergency
• Keep one or more fire extinguishers nearby (use an ABC type extinguisher)

40:15 - It's Not Over 'Till It's Over

• Learn to embrace the fear of starting the engine the first time after assembly
• Double check your work for loose parts/tools BEFORE starting the engine
• Keep an OBD II scanner handy to quickly diagnose any issues
• Drive it further each day over several days to confirm all...

00:00 - OPEN: Preview of Cars, Trucks and SUVs We Will Cover in 2024

In today’s episode, we’re looking toward the future and revealing some of the cars, trucks, SUVS, cross-over’s, sports cars, sedans, hatchbacks and more that you can expect to hear about on the Better Than New podcast in 2024. 

01:00 - INTRO

Last year, I did a similar show talking about what you could expect in 2023 and while I got to many of those vehicles, I was a little surprised by how many I didn’t cover.  So for 2024, we’ll include those vehicles, plus a few more interesting, fun-to-drive cars, trucks and SUV’s here on the Better Than New podcast.

04:15 - Category #1 - Trucks

Today's new trucks are over-sized for many buyers, so we will take a look back at some of the smaller pickups that used to be widely available, but are now virtually non-existent on showroom floors.

• Toyota Pickups from the 80s, 90s and 2000s
• Nissan Hardbody Pickups (1986-1997)
• Mazda 4th Gen B-series Pickups (1985-1998)

07:40 - Category #2 - SUVs and Crossovers

America loves SUVs, so we’re going to cover some great used SUVs in 2024 with an emphasis on value

• 100-series Toyota Landcruiser (plus equivalent Lexus LX470)
• Lexus GX470
• Toyota Sequoia
• Infiniti FX35 and FX50
• Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport

In a twist on our "Little Weirdos" 4x4 series from 2023, we will cover some funky used SUVs that are not on everyone's radar, including:

• Isuzu Vehicross
• Honda Crosstour
• Acura ZDX
• Subaru BRAT

12:50 - Category #3 - Hatchbacks

Hot hatchbacks used to be common, but no longer. However, there are still some interesting examples available on the used car market, including these three which we will cover in 2024:

• Ford's Fiesta ST
• Ford's Focus ST
• Mazda's Mazdaspeed 3

15:20 - Category #4 - Coupes & Sport Compact Cars

Coupes and Sport Compact Cars are also less common, but again there are fun-to-drive examples on the used market that you might want to look for, including:

• The Acura RSX Type-S
• Diamond Star Coupes (Mitsu Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser)
• Celica All-trac Turbo (ST165 from 1988-1989 and ST185 - 1990-1993)
• Chevrolet Cobalt SS (supercharged)
• Dodge Neon SRT-4

19:05 - Category #5 - Sports Cars

• Mazda Miata - We will explore the Mazda Miata, not to ID the best year or generation, but to find the used car version that offers the best value
• First Gen Subaru BRZ and Scion FRS (now the Toyota GR86)
• The Three First-Gen German Sports Cars, including the Porsche Boxster, BMW Z3 and the Mercedes Benz SLK Roadster

21:20 - Category #6 - Sedans

• Lexus GS-Series V8, Rear Drive Sedans (GS400, GS430 and GS460)
• Lexus GS350 (4th Gen 2011-2015 and 2015.5-2020 model update)
• Mazda's Mazdaspeed 6
• Subaru 2.5 GT Spec B

23:30 - Category #7 - Wagons

• WRX Wagons (includes 2002-2007 + Saab 9-2X Wagon)
• Audi S4 Avant (B6 and B7 wagons with 4.2-liter V8)

26:55 - Close

This is just a partial list of the vehicles we will cover in 2024 on the Better Than New Podcast, so be sure to join us this year for all this and more.

Thanks for listening!

00:00 - Why Do People Hate On Their Cars?

On a recent road trip to Oregon, I saw enough vehicle damage from unforced driving and parking errors to make me want to cry. But rather than shed a tear, I decided to morph my pain into an episode.

00:50 - OPEN

We have two cars, a 30-year old Miata and a 15-year old Audi, but we have kept their exteriors in good condition, simply by being careful when we drive and park. Unfortunately that's not the case for many drivers, so it's painful for me when I see vehicles that have been treated poorly. The following are some examples of bad parking behavior that resulted in damage.

03:40 - Late Model Toyota Camry vs. Traffic Bollard

A Camry driver attempting to park in Portland Oregon finds out the hard way that Traffic Bollards are not paint friendly and curbs are tougher than wheels and exhaust pipes. I predict a bus pass is in that Camry driver's future.

07:35 - Brand New Kia Stinger GT... With Damage Done

I encountered a new Kia Stinger GT in our hotel parking lot and noticed massive wheel damage from scraping curbs. All four wheels were so badly scraped and gouged that they would be difficult or impossible to repair, and replacement costs were more than $800 per wheel. Who does this to a brand new car!? Boo. Shame on whoever you are!

10:30 - Toyota Prius Driver vs. Big (and very obvious) Curb

Without missing a beat, a Prius driver attempting to parallel park, drives up and over a high curb twice within a 5-second window. He scrapes a wheel (twice), a side skirt (twice) and partially removes the front bumper cover during the process. Brilliant! And the best part? He casually walks away after parking without looking back. So cool, yet so uncool.

13:55 - Ford Explorer's Bumper Explodes After Wall Encounter

You would expect this type of performance from a new teenage driver, but this person was maybe 35 or 40 and should have known better. Best part was their full-blown freakout when their front bumper cover popped off and shot across the parking lot.

15:55 - Too Many Broken Parts To Count

So many car parts, so little time to count them all. On the drive back home, there were so many bumper covers and large car parts on Interstate-5 that I lost count at more than 20, and most of them were on sections of freeway that were perfectly straight!

17:35 - CLOSE

With a little care and vigilance, drivers can avoid these unfortunate unforced parking errors.  But for those not willing to invest even a little bit of effort to keep the exterior of their car, truck or SUV in good condition, then the Used Car Gods will simply take it off the sales price when they go to sell the vehicle, or the trade in price when they go to trade it in down the road.  The choice… is theirs.

00:00 - To EV or To Not EV... That Is The Question

So is it the right time for you to buy a new or used EV or are the prices still too high? We explore that question in this episode.

00:55 - Used and New EV Prices Have Dropped, But They Are Still Expensive

The average price of a new EV has dropped 20% from June 2022 to June 2023, but new US electric vehicles are on average about $5000 more than internal combustion engine (gas and diesel powered) cars, trucks and SUVs.

03:00 - Manufacturers Are Offering Cash Incentives To Spur New EV Purchases

With less buyers available for multiple reasons, some car makers are offering cash-back incentives for purchase or lease and some offer buyers lower interest rates to get people behind the wheel of a new EV.

04:35 - More Competition = Lower Prices... Eventually

Many new EVs are coming on the market all the time, including Honda's soon-to-be-released Prologue electric SUV, which will be available in early 2024. Once all the mainstream car makers, like Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda and others get into the game, competition will increase, range and features will improve and prices will come down on EVs across the board.

07:10 - EV Prices, While Lower Today Are Still Really High - So Buying A Used EV At A Reasonable Price Might Make Sense

Lower prices on new EVs are good for buyers, but overall new EV prices are still really high compared to equivalent gas-powered cars and trucks, so buying a used EV might make more sense if you are on a budget. Unfortunately, there still aren't a lot of used EV options at the lower end of the market, so my recommendation is to wait for a year or two while prices drop and vehicle options improve. But if you really want an EV and can make a limited range work, there are a few used EVs that might fit your budget and an urban lifestyle, including the Fiat 500e covered in episode 48

10:40 - So Should You Go Electric Or Not?

If you're on a budget and need one car that can do it all, my recommendation regarding electric vehicles is to hold off on that purchase until used EV supply & model options improve and prices drop, but if you have the cash available for a new EV, and you are not willing to wait a year or two for prices to come down, then go for it.

11:35 - CLOSE

00:00 - OPEN - The 2002-2003 Mazda Protege5

Today’s show is about a used car that would be perfect as a first car for a new driver, or would make an ideal second or third car for your family to run errands or take you, a friend and a full load of gear on a weekend adventure.  I like to think of it as the classic Swiss Army Knife of personal vehicles, but it’s so much more than that.    

01:40 - The Perfect Affordable Small Wagon For An Active Lifestyle

The 2002-2003 Mazda Protege5 is a stylish, sporty 5-door hatchback that’s not only pleasant to be in and look at, but it also offered an ideal combination of carrying capacity, convenience, fuel economy and fun that’s perfect for people of any age who live an active lifestyle. 

03:45 - What Makes The Protege5 Great?

It's a car that's stylish, sporty and attractive inside and out, plus it was reasonably well appointed for a vehicle at its price point. While not incredibly quick, it's rev-happy engine, excellent handling and fun-to-drive nature delivered a great deal of joy for drivers while also returning reasonable fuel economy in town (25-mpg) and on longer trips (over 30-mpg) using regular fuel. And over time the Protege5 has proven to be a reliable partner for long term owners.

07:25 - It's Not a "Numbers" Car

With only 130-hp motivating about 2750 pounds of sport wagon, the Protege5 is not a car that produces stunning acceleration numbers. Zero to sixty mph is around 9-seconds and the quarter mile is covered in 17-seconds or a little less depending on humidity, track conditions, etc. But none of that matters because the engine, transmission, drive train and suspension work together in harmony to deliver driving dynamics and fun behind the wheel that's so much better than the numbers might indicate.

09:10 - What Do Mazda Protege5 Owners Think Of Their Cars?

In a word, Protege5 owners LOVE their cars and 97% of them give their lovable Mazda 5-door wagon a rating of "four" or a "five" out of 5-stars in their online reviews. And that's out of hundreds of reviews, which is impressive.

Car and Driver Retro Review Video featuring a "Ron Burgundy" lookalike (I swear it's not Will Ferrell!) delivering the story behind the Protege5 from back in the day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmkRRYOOB04&t=1s

14:35 - What Should You Look For In A Protege5?

• Low miles (under 100K, if possible)
• Minimal owners (1 or 2)
• Consistent maintenance with service records for proof
• No accidents (if possible)
• Avoid rebuilt title vehicles (again, if possible, but it doesn't take much now to total a Protege5, so if the damage isn't severe and it was fixed professionally, you might be able to get a good example even with a rebuilt title)
• Get a pre-purchase inspection if you can
• Look for P5s with recent major service already completed
• Get the ABS+side airbags option
• I suggest getting a manual to make best use of the power

18:20 - How Much Will You Pay For A Protege5?

• $2000-$4000 - More rare, but you can find decent examples with higher miles and a couple of issues in this range.
• $4000-$6000 - Good solid examples with reasonable miles will be found in this price range (be picky)
• $6000-$8000 - You'll find the best cars in this price range. While attractive and fun to drive, the Protege5 is not a collector car, so I wouldn't pay more than this.

20:00 - Other Affordable FWD 5-Door Wagon Options In The Protege5's Price Range

• 2004 and later Mazda3 5-Door
• 2002-2004 Ford SVT Focus ZX5
• Pontiac Vibe (2003-2010)/Toyota Matrix...

00:00 - OPEN: The 1992-2000 Lexus SC400 Coupe - The Ultimate Escape Pod

In this episode, you'll hear about an early 90’s car that I like to think of as the ultimate escape pod.  It was a sport coupe from an emerging Japanese luxury brand that featured silky smooth V8 power and a uniquely designed exterior that set the bar so high, that car magazine editors fell in love with it, along with the buying public.  And this car dominated the luxury sport coupe category for years, just like its sibling did in the luxury sedan category.  

01:05 - Lexus Enters The US Market in 1989 With the LS400 Sedan

Back in 1989, Toyota, shook-up the US automotive landscape with the introduction of the all-new Lexus Luxury brand and their first-ever US vehicle, the 1990 Lexus LS400 sedan. 

03:30 - INTRO: The 1992-2000 Lexus SC400 Coupe - The From Scratch, Original Encore to the LS400 Sedan

Rather than alter their successful LS400 sedan by deleting the rar doors, shortening the wheelbase and calling it a coupe, Lexus instead designed their first Coupe - the SC400, from scratch.

06:25 - SC400 Engine & Drivetrain Changes Over Time

• 1992-1995 SC400 Coupe - 250-hp & 260-lb.ft of torque with 4-spd automatic transmission.
• 1996-1997 SC400 Coupe - 260-hp & 270-lb.ft. of torque with a 4-speed automatic transmission
• 1998-2000 SC400 Coupe - 290-hp and 300-lb.ft of torque with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

08:50 - Handling & Braking - It's a Gran Touring Car, Not A Sports Car

Both the LS400 and the SC400 coupe were rear-wheel drive and offered excellent driving dynamics.  However, potential buyers should keep in mind that the Lexus SC400 is not a sports car, but rather a luxury sports coupe in the gran touring tradition - a car that can be driven quickly and confidently for hours on end as it whisks its driver to their destination in quiet, luxurious comfort.

09:55 - Is the Lexus SC400 Coupe A Reliable Car Today?

In a word, yes. However, the newest SC400 is 23-years old, so it's best to keep that in mind and have a thorough pre-purchase inspection done before purchase.

12:50 - What To Look For In An SC400 Coupe

• All years of the SC400 Coupe would make an excellent daily driver
• I would focus on finding an example in excellent condition with one or two owners first. 
• If you want the most horsepower, the 1998-2000 cars with Variable Valve timing and the 5-speed automatic are best.
• All the standard used car considerations apply (low-miles, no accidents, access to service records, avoid cars that have rust)
• Get that pre-purchase inspection!

17:30 - Used Lexus SC400 Pricing

• $5000-$8000 - You'll find some interesting examples, but this is the low-end of the range and not where I would expect to find a solid combination of quality vs price
• $8000-$12,000 - This is my sweet spot.  I would expect to find the best values in this range, with the sort of cars you would want to keep and drive for several years at the top of this range. 
• $12,000-$15000 - These cars will be some of the best one or two owner examples with well under 100K miles, recent major services completed, shiny paint and tires and brakes in good condition
• $15,000-$18,000 - This is where I think you’ll find the best examples of the SC400.  You can pay more than this, but you’re probably wasting money based on current valuation

21:15 - Close - 1992-2000 Lexus SC 400 Coupe

With its combination of unique styling, luxurious refinement and...

00:00 - OPEN: Serendipity And Craiglist Can Help You Find A Perfect Used Car - Part II

It’s time to take another look at some of the fun, interesting used vehicles you can find when you let Serendipity and a quick local Craigslist search be your guide. 

00:55 - INTRO - Serendipity Search Explained

This Serendipity search idea is really simple, and it goes like this.  Open up your local Craigslist, go to "Cars and Trucks", click on for sale by owner, leave the rest of the search parameters blank, hit enter and then scroll down and see which cars have been posted most recently.

Following these steps is important because you’re just trying to view what’s been posted to Craigslist in the last few hours up to 24-hours.  In my experience, the really interesting used cars with amazingly low prices will be sold in less than 24-hours. 

The following are some of the interesting cars, trucks and SUVs I found near me in a recent Serendipity + Craigslist search:

05:30 - Interesting Sports Cars

• 1974 Fiat X1/9
• 1993 Pontiac Trans Am
• 1997 Mazda Miata

09:00 - Sporty and Fun And Practical, but Mostly Sporty Cars

• 1987 Toyota Celica GT-S
• 1998 Acura Integra GS-R Sedan
• 2015 Ford Fiesta ST

11:50 - SUVs, Crossovers and Trucks

• 2007 Honda Element
• 2000 Nissan Frontier Pick-up
• 2002 Isuzu Trooper

14:55 - Older, Funkier 4x4s

• 1984 Ford Bronco
• 1987 Suzuki Samurai
• 1992 Isuzu Trooper RS 2-Door

19:05 - Which One(s) Would I Buy If I had $15K To Spend?

Maybe the Fiat X1/9 because it was cool (to me) or maybe the Fiesta ST (it's newer, fun to drive and would make a great daily), but in the end I chose three: the 1987 Celica, the 1998 Integra GS-R Sedan and the Trooper RS 2-door. All three of these vehicles together added up to $15,300.

20:30 - Close - Time To Try This Method Yourself

Give this search method a try next time you think you can't find something fun in your price range. Great cars and trucks at an affordable price can appear out of nowhere, but they won't last long, so act quickly if you find something you like.

00:00 - OPEN - Murphy’s Law Can Turn Routine DIY Car Maintenance Into Chaos

Doing your own car maintenance can save you time and money and it helps you learn about your car. However, you have to plan your repairs wisely or Murphy's Law may stop by to derail your next DIY project.

01:20 - INTRO - How Long Will It Take To Catch A Fish?

With used cars, no matter how much you plan, no matter how much you try to stay on top of any potential issues, sometimes things just go wrong.  It’s inevitable. Unaccounted for variables can disrupt a DIY project and stretch out your repair timeline from a couple of hours to a couple of days or more.

That's why when someone asks me how long a car repair will take, I usually reply with the question, "how long will it take to catch a fish?" (Answer: I don't know)

03:40 - Audi Leak Repair is DIY Job #1

Our Audi wagon finally developed enough leaks from the valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing gasket, valley pan gasket and the oil cooler gasket that I had to schedule a DIY project to fix the various drips and drizzles. Nothing major, just lots of time and patience to remove multiple parts to gain access to multiple low-cost, but important gaskets.

05:05 - Murphy's Law Steps In To Disrupt My Oil Leak Repairs By Disabling Our Spare Family Car

The Audi is up on the rack with the front end removed for better engine access, but Murphy's Law sidelines my repair attempts by disabling the spare car (a 1998 Camry) my wife was going to drive while I fix the Audi. I offer to let her drive our Miata, but she refuses to drive a manual transmission, so now I'm a chauffeur as well as the family DIY mechanic. Awesome! Meanwhile, I think I know generally what's wrong with the Camry, but for now it will have to wait until I finish fixing the Audi.

10:50 - Murphy's Law Interruption #2 - My Son's Honda Accord

Not long after the Camry decided to go on a driver’s strike, our older son who will be receiving the Camry as his “free” car dropped by with his current car – a 1992 Honda Accord - to ask me if I could take it for a drive to figure out what the “noises” are that he keeps hearing.  Never a good sign...

Turned out there was junk in the trunk literally rolling around making noise, but there were also real car maintenance issues that needed to be attended to, like like low tire pressure, low brake fluid and low engine oil. I also discovered the alternator belt was failing, so I had to replace that along with the power steering belt. When my wife asked how long that project would take, I said "how long does it take to catch a fish?" (Answer: no clue)

19:10 - Are DIY Repairs Worth The Time and Hassle?

If you ask whether I like doing the repairs or not, the answer is "no". However, if you ask whether the time and cost savings are worth it, the answer - at least for me - is absolutely.

With repair shops backed up sometimes a week or two, doing work yourself can get you back on the road sooner. And with the high cost of labor and parts, you can save yourself a lot of money if you can do some of those projects yourself.

If you're not sure if DIY projects are for you, start with something simple like an oil change. If that works, then try something more difficult. After a few successful DIY repair projects, you just might find you actually can handle some car repair duties and it's not as hard as you think.

20:40 - CLOSE

As long as you have the tools, the parts, a spare car or a friend who can give you ride to the auto parts store while your car is being repaired, I think you can handle your own DIY repairs. But just don’t take too long, because your partner might keep asking whether you’ve caught that fish yet or not! 

00:00 - OPEN

Today is the fourth and final episode of our month-long "Little Weirdo’s" 4x4 Edition podcast special featuring four small, fun-to-drive and affordable used 4x4s from the 80s and 90s. 

01:45 - INTRO - 1987-1989 Dodge Raider

Today’s small, affordable 4x4 SUV is the Dodge Raider, which was sold in the US from model years 1987 to 1989. 

03:30 - By The Numbers

The Dodge Raider offered up specifications and performance that was slightly better than the other small 4x4s in this series, but it still wasn’t outstanding.    For example, when equipped with the 2.6-liter 4-cylinder, buyers got 109-hp and 142-lb.ft. of torque.  In 1989, a V6 with 143-hp and 168-lb.ft. was available as an option. The V6 Raiders also came with a trailing link rear suspension with coil springs and shocks, rather than the 4-cylinder model's leaf spring suspension.

10:40 - Serious Off-Road Capability

• Tough, body-on-frame design
• Capable Suspension (leaf springs for 4-cylinder, trailing arms fw/coils for 6-cyl)
• Short–wheel base (very maneuverable on tight trails)

11:00 - Dakar Rally Success For The Pajero

• 12 Outright Wins - A modified version of the Pajero (the Japanese version of the Raider) won the famous Dakar rally outright a total of 12-times. 
• World Record Setting Performance - The Pajero also set a Guinness World record with 150 individual stage wins.  By comparison, second place Peugeot had only 78-wins, so the Pajero’s ability off-road was really never in question.

13:05 - What Should You Look For In a Dodge Raider?

• Overall condition is most important
• Inline 4-cylinder vs. V6 (I would chose the V6)
• 4-speed automatic vs. 5-speed manual
• Typical used car things, like low miles, minimal owners, no accidents, no rebuilt title, etc.
• Buy one that is stock or close to stock condition. 
• Make sure it has all the factory parts (rear bench seat)
• Make sure everything works (test the 4WD, locking hubs, AC, heater, fan, lights, turn signals, etc.)
• Find a tow-behind example – might have higher miles, but it was towed, not driven. 

16:50 - Dodge Raider Price Range

Get a complete, running, fully functioning Dodge Raider. Don’t buy a project!

$3000 to $5000 range - Some decent examples can be found in this range with time and patience, but below $3,000 I would expect to find issue such as dents, rust, missing and broken parts, etc. 

$5000 to $8000 – Good solid options in this range, including some great family hand-me-downs that are undervalued for the market, but act quickly as good examples sell fast if underpriced.

$8,000 to $12,000 – Really nice, near-perfect examples can be found in this range. If I were looking for a Raider, I would assume the price I eventually pay would likely fall into this range.

$12,000 to $15,000 – The best examples will be found in this range, but once prices rise to this level, you have other options, including the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Jeeps are more plentiful and have tremendous aftermarket support, so you might not want to pay this much for a Dodge Raider unless you just can’t live without one.

23:20 - CLOSE

That wraps up this final Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition episode on the rugged Dodge Raider - another outstanding, small 4x4 SUV from the 80s and 90s that’s provides jeep-like off-road capability with a relatively cheap price. The Raider, along with the Geo Tracker, the Daihatsu Rocky and the Suzuki Samurai are the type of small, boxy 4x4 that manufacturers no...

00:00 - OPEN - Little Weirdos 4x4 Edition Special - PART 3

Today is the third episode of our month-long Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition podcast special here on Better Than New - featuring four small, fun-to-drive and affordable used 4x4 SUVs from the 80s and 90s.

01:10 - INTRO - 1986-1995 Suzuki Samurai 4x4

This week’s “Little Weirdo” small 4x4 is the Suzuki Samurai, which was introduced to America in 1985 as a 1986 model year vehicle and was sold here through 1995

01:50 - The Numbers Don't Matter

The Suzuki Samurai's horsepower, torque and acceleration numbers are well below modern SUVs, but take one drive off-road in the Samurai and none that matters.

04:50 - Serious Off-Road Capability

The Samurai is very compact and light, yet it still features a rugged, body-on-frame design and a 2-speed transfer case with 2WD high, 4WD high and 4WD low, so it’s considered to be a “real” 4WD vehicle by off-road enthusiasts.

06:30 - The Altitude Record

In 2007, a team of Chilean drivers used a modified Suzuki Samurai to set a Guinness world altitude record of 21,804 feet on a dormant volcano in the Andes mountains - a record that stood for more than a dozen years.

07:30 - Primitive, But Better Over Time

While small and crude, Suzuki continued to slowly improve the Samurai over its 9-year US run.

09:00 - Beginning Of The End - The Consumer Reports Rollover Story

Even though the Samurai had performed well in Consumer Reports initial handling tests, apparently a staff member of the magazine later rolled a Samurai while driving.  Because of that, the magazine's editors decided to try to replicate the same conditions to determine if the Samurai was actually more inclined to roll compared to similar vehicles. 

11:15 - Is The Samurai Really The Rollover King?

High ground clearance 4x4s with a short wheelbase, a high center of gravity and tall off-road tires will always be inclined to roll over easier than say, a low-slung sports car with a low center of gravity. 

13:35 - What Should You Look For?

• Condition is the most important thing to consider
• Available with a Soft-top or Hardtop
• Low miles, minimal owners, no rebuilt or salvage title
• Buy one in stock condition
• Make sure it has the back bench seat

18:10 - How Much Should You Pay?

• Under $5000 - Not very many good Samurai's in this low price range, but you might get lucky
• $5000 to $7500 - Good solid examples can be found in this range, but with some minor issues
• $7500 to $10,000 - This is the price range where I would expect to find great examples, excellent value and the best deals
• $10,000 to $12,500 - You should easily be able to find a great Samurai in this range without too much effort.
• $12,500-$15,000 or more - At this price or higher, you might want to consider other options, so make sure a Samurai is really what you want to buy before paying this much.

20:55 - Conclusion

That wraps up this week’s Little Weirdo’s 4x4 Edition episode on the Suzuki Samurai.  Another excellent, small 4x4 SUV from the 80s and 90s that’s provides Jeep-like off-road prowess with a relatively inexpensive price.

RELEVANT LINKS:

5-Door Jimny Coming in 2023 - https://www.drive.com.au/news/2023-suzuki-jimny-five-door-wagon-official/